Move to boost molasses supply

Efforts are on to ensure an adequate supply of local molasses to the rum industry.

 

That is the word from Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Freundel Stuart, who was speaking yesterday morning at the launch of Mount Gay’s Commemorative 50th Anniversary XO Cask Strength Limited Edition Rum, of which only 3 000 bottles will be produced. He said discussions are ongoing between the main constituents as it relates to molasses. 

 

These, he told those gathered at the St. Lucy Distillery, include the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water Resource Management; the Ministry of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development; sugar producers, and rum producers.

 

“We hope to come to a general consensus on the approach for ensuring adequate supply of local molasses to the rum industry. The aim of the dialogue is to 

arrive at a formula for the production of molasses which would satisfy all parties involved, and would ultimately result in the increase and sustainability of the local production of this much needed input,” he said.

 

Prime Minister Stuart’s comments came as he said that they will also continue to foster buy-in and linkages with the tourism and agricultural sectors, and maintain Barbados’ position as the Premier Rum Producers in the world.

 

“We are fully aware also that consensus must be reached across the industry on a clearly defined set of manufacturing standards to be established. In the case of authentication and protection of the ‘Barbados’ brand, efforts need to be redoubled to secure Geographical Indications for Barbados rum. These are used as marketing tools particularly in the sale of niche products – of paramount importance to our country and region as we rely heavily on traditional methods, expertise, reputation and know-how in the production processes of our unique products,” he stated.

 

PM Stuart has also given the assurance that Government will continue to lend assistance to initiatives which will see the rum industry benefiting from funding and technical assistance to enhance the competitiveness of the sector. He made the point as he noted that it is through the “ingenuity, tenacity and insistent efforts” of companies like Mount Gay Distilleries Limited, and its international partners, that Barbados rum is not only able to maintain a competitive edge, but can stand proudly beside any international brand as a high end international product.

 

Added to that, Managing Director of Mount Gay Distilleries, Raphael Grisoni said there has been tremendous growth attributed primarily to the demand for their product on the overseas market. According to him, their exports represent 80 per cent of their operations and it is their aim to continue on this path and expand even more.  As such, he said going forward their new Premium Strategy will be based on seeking value rather than volume with premium products or blends that will meet the growing demand in the USA, Canada, Europe and Asia/Pacific. Even so, he said, the Barbados market will not suffer, as this  remains their “heart and home market”.

 

“As we continue to seek to satisfy both our local and overseas markets, we are aware of a number of challenges ahead, varying from the increasing cost of doing business, particularly the cost of production, to the competitive disadvantage of competing against other major rum brands which enjoy a number of attractive subsidies in the countries where they are produced. Added to this, Barbados’ disappearing sugar industry automatically leads to a decrease in local molasses supplies, which is further hampered by the logistical constraints in procuring that base product from overseas sources,” the managing director added.

 

He noted that they intend to work closer with the agricultural sector, specifically the sugar cane industry, to address the molasses issue. Moreover, he said their parent company, Remy Cointreau, continues to show its confidence in Mount Gay’s performance with it continued investment as well as its capital expenditure on the upgrade of the distillery and the purchase of plantation lands. 

(JRT)